By Desiree Velazquez
A number of Lane coaches left their positions this past school year because of issues including personal reasons or budget cuts.
For many juniors, last spring would be the last time they would be playing for their coaches. The varsity soccer coach, Michael Wasielewski, decided to take a teaching and basketball coaching job at Waukegan High School. Wasielewski has won four city titles in his six years coaching at Lane.
In an interview with CPS sports blog, Wasielewski said, “When the Waukegan job opened up, I couldn’t pass up that opportunity.”
Wasielewski left the girls soccer team in the hands of Mrs. Vale-Suarez. Three seniors will lead the team this year: Amanda Lindberg, Div. 472, Harper Albo, Div. 463, and Jordan Ginsburg, Div. 467.
Lindberg says when she received the text telling her Wasielewski was leaving Lane, she stared at it for a good ten minutes before it all sunk in.
“[Coach Wasielewski] was always really hard on us, but he taught us a lot about mental toughness which comes into play a lot during the game. Now Coach Vale-Suarez is our coach and she has a different coaching style and personality than [Wasielewski], but I’m sure she’ll help us to go just as far, if not farther than last year,” Lindberg said.
However, not all the departed coaches had the luxury of leaving on their own terms. George Stavrakas, now former varsity girl’s softball and 16 inch boy’s softball coach, was let go.
After seeing tweets and hearing rumors, softball and baseball player, Sean Birt, Div. 451, received clarification that George had indeed been fired. In addition, Dean Stavrakas, George’s father, decided to resign from the position of head baseball coach for “personal reasons.”
“I was honestly shocked when I heard about both,” Birt said. “The Stavrakases brought both programs to a whole new level. We won so many games and they weren’t just against city teams.”
Dean Stavrakas was respected by his players for taking the baseball team in a positive direction. Last season he managed the team to a 15-game winning streak before they lost to Simeon in the City semi-finals.
“Dean Stavrakas really brought the best out of us with his pep talks and family feeling amongst the team. Hopefully our new coach does the same,” Birt said.
George Stavrakas won seven consecutive girls varsity softball city championships and won two out of the three regional championships for girl’s varsity softball. For boys 16’ inch softball he went 74-3 with two City championships.
George Stavrakas leaves behind seven seniors on the girls’ softabll team, all of whom have been on varsity since their freshman year.
Madeline Maldanado, Div. 472, is one of the seven seniors who is making the best out of the situation.
“It was hard to say good-bye to George. He was a great coach. But we need to focus on our team and be optimistic,” Maldonado said.
Devin Miller, former pitcher for the UIC Flames, will be taking over George Stavrakas’s position as head coach for the girl’s varsity softball team.
This summer, wrestling coach Mark Meidona also left Lane to pursue a different career. Danny Carlson, Div. 477, said Meidona was a great influence on the team.
“He was probably one of the best coaches to ever coach me at Lane. He truly cared about the team and we are going to miss him this season,” Carlson said.
Dr. Dignam does not believe the loss of these coaches means the teams will have bad seasons.
“Last year was a good year for athletics, but it was not our best. That is something we want to change,” Dignam said.
Dignam trusts the decisions of the athletic director, Mr. Hofman, and believes he will take Lane athletics in the right direction. As athletic director, Hofman makes all hiring decisions regarding coaches. Hofman declined to comment on the specifics of why some of last year’s coaches were let go.
“Sometimes people need to move on, and start a new beginning, but we want the best for the athletes,” Hofman said.
Hofman held interviews with the prospective coaches for the baseball and softball teams and said he was very careful in choosing the best candidates for taking over the empty coaching positions.
